Marlborough was top of the vine however, with 331 medals - 46 golds, 99 silver and 186 bronze.

Central Otago was third with 93 - 17 gold, 20 silver and 56 bronze.

The Bay's wineries effectively had syrah sewn up, taking five of the six golds awarded, while the only gold in the merlot class also went the Bay's way through Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke's Bay Merlot 2010.

The awards were rich pickings for Villa Maria's Bay vineyards with 10 of the golds going their way.

This year's competition, which chairman of judges Michael Brajkovich said had a standard "as high as it has ever been", saw 1367 wines entered in 17 classes.

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"Sauvignon blanc is very strong," he said of the variety, which attracted the most golds, with 17.

He added that pinot noir was again a "stand-out" and chardonnay "extraordinary".

"Growers are experimenting more with different styles. While new varieties such as tempranillo, grenache and albarino are small in quantity, the quality is getting better and better."

Mr Brajkovich said New Zealand wines were now clearly up with the very best.

"Something we can be very proud of."

Air New Zealand head of sponsorship and community James Gibson said the company was passionate about the New Zealand wine industry and enjoyed introducing its international passengers to home-grown wines on board its flights.

"This is the 26th year that Air New Zealand has sponsored the wine awards and we continue to be very proud to be associated with the very best our nation's winemakers have to offer."

The elite gold medal and trophy winners will be announced at a special awards dinner on November 24 in Wellington.